The University of the Antilles (UA), located across two French Regions of the Americas (Guadeloupe and Martinique), is one of the few French universities in the Caribbean–Americas region. This geographical position is a fundamental element of its international partnership policy.
The UA’s multi-territorial dimension, and its unique position as a French university fulfilling its teaching and research missions within a Caribbean context, make relations with partner universities and the exchange of students, teaching staff, and administrative staff of the utmost importance. The concepts of relations and exchanges are all the more essential given that the UA faces challenges related to its island nature.
Cooperation initiatives with Caribbean countries such as Haiti and the University of the West Indies are already under way (development of joint degrees such as the integrated Political Science programme, co-supervised doctoral theses, etc.). These initiatives are vital, as they are structuring both for our institution and for our partners. Developing partnerships with Europe constitutes the other major pillar of our international policy..
Erasmus+ Charter 2021–2027
The ERASMUS+ programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students), launched in 1987 and co-funded by the European Union, enables the exchange of students, teaching staff, and administrative and technical staff between European universities and higher education institutions.
The Erasmus+ programme facilitates student mobility across Europe by providing funding to participants, whilst also allowing them to avoid paying tuition fees at their host university, with courses taken being validated by their home institution.
With over sixty agreements with European universities, more than 100 Erasmus+ students are welcomed each year across the various campuses of our two University Poles — Guadeloupe and Martinique — and several dozen of our own students go abroad for study or work placement mobilities in a partner country. Students from partner universities can access national degree programmes within a more distinctly regional context, different from the rest of French territory, characterised in particular by its Creolophone dimension.
The UA, holder of the Erasmus+ Charter 2021-2027, has enshrined in its Erasmus policy strategy its commitment to encouraging students to incorporate one or more mobility experiences into their academic journey.
KA 171 Caribbean
The University of the Antilles (UA) was selected as part of an Erasmus+ call for projects dedicated to international cooperation in higher education. This success resulted in the award of €870,000 in funding, intended to support the development of academic mobility within the Caribbean region.
Led by the University’s International Relations Directorate (DRI), this project involves three Caribbean higher education institutions: the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) in the Dominican Republic, the University of the West Indies (UWI), present in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, as well as the Autonomous University of Port-au-Prince (UNAP) in Haiti. The project will also promote the mobility of students, doctoral researchers, academic staff, and administrative personnel, and is structured around two major themes: training in climate risk management in the Caribbean, and strengthening higher education in Haiti.
In line with the priorities set out by the European Commission, the University of the Antilles will contribute to climate change adaptation and the reduction of inequalities in access to higher education, whilst reinforcing the place of French island territories within the European Union’s external action.
A « Lieu-Monde » (World Place) university, the UA works tirelessly to assert its influence and offer its entire community concrete opportunities for success. Rooted in its territories yet firmly open to the world, it pursues its commitment to academic excellence and scientific innovation at a Caribbean scale. The UA cultivates strong ties with Caribbean institutions, which it strives to bring to life and share with its whole community through enriching mobility experiences.
Alliance européenne EUNICoast
EUNICoast is a strategic alliance of twelve coastal European universities, bringing together more than 100,000 students and nearly 10,000 academic and administrative staff members. The alliance is part of the European Commission’s European Universities initiative, which aims to strengthen transnational cooperation in education and research.
A holistic approach to maritime and coastal challenges
The alliance adopts a holistic European model deeply rooted in EU higher education, research, and maritime frameworks. Its strategy focuses on shared values and expertise to address the complex issues facing coastal and maritime areas, which are essential to sustainable development and ecological resilience.
Ambitions for global leadership
EUNICoast aims to extend its impact beyond Europe, seeking to lead global discussions on sustainable maritime practices. This global vision fosters international collaboration, strengthening EUNICoast’s capacity to contribute to worldwide debates on maritime and coastal sustainability.
Sustainable development of maritime regions
EUNICoast positions itself as a key player in the future of the European blue economy, drawing on its collective maritime expertise to drive sustainable development. The approach focuses on promoting a resilient, thriving, and sustainable maritime economy that integrates ecological imperatives with the needs of local communities.
Strategic alignment with EU policies
EUNICoast’s strategy encompasses coastal preservation, maritime safety, sustainable energy, and the blue economy, aligning with EU policy priorities to effectively address regional maritime challenges. EUNICoast offers tailored solutions that strengthen resilience and respond to the unique needs of coastal and island regions.
The EUNICoast alliance includes a balanced mix of continental and island universities, enabling it to address the unique challenges facing Europe’s 2,400 islands, which are home to approximately 16 million inhabitants – around 4% of the EU population. This geographical diversity reflects the alliance’s commitment to an inclusive European identity, where diverse regions contribute their unique attributes to a globalised world.
The EUNICoast partner Universities
- Université Le havre Normandie (France)
- University Emuni (Slovenia)
- Burgas Free University (Bulgaria)
- University of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
- University of Patras (Greece)
- University of Sassari (Italy)
- University of the Azores (Açores)
- Stralsund University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
- Åland University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
